From Rukmini Seva dasi – Russia, Ivanovo

Dear Srila Gurudev,
Please accept my most humble obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to Guru and Gauranga!
Dear Srila Gurudev, you are an amazing example of devotion, perseverance and sincerity in this world. For me your example is the sheer perfection of a disciple serving to his spiritual master. Just by remembering you the mind is purified, and your words inspire hope in the heart. Your mercy is all that I have. It is only thanks to your blessings and instructions that “no matter what happens, always remain in the association of devotees,” have I been here for more than twenty years. I have no doubt that it was no coincidence that at the very beginning, when I came in 1998, I met mother Yastibhrit, which was set in motion by your dear disciple Vraja Lila. They were friends from childhood, Vraja Lila’s preaching to mother Yastibhrit and your mercy touched my heart. For many years now, mother Yashtibhrit has been the president of our temple in Ivanovo, and for many years under her leadership I have served our deities Sri Sri Nitai Parama Karuna in the temple.
Thank you very much for taking care of us all, thank you very much for sharing your taste so generously and giving us the strength to perform devotional service, without your mercy it would be impossible. I really want to please you.
In one of the recent live broadcasts, you said some very inspiring words that for me became support in a difficult period of my life: “Nothing should distract us from chanting. We should be like Peter Pan from the Disney movie, who sang: ‘I won’t give up, I won’t give up, not me!’ We should be like him. If we don’t have such strength, we must crave the association of those devotees who have this strength: ‘I won’t give up, I won’t give up, not me!’”
Thank you so much dear Srila Gurudev that we have you, that I have you, please help me to be a good disciple and a sharp instrument in your hands.
Trying to always be your servant, Rukmini Seva dasi